The Vidya Prasarak Mandal (VPM), a registered educational trust, was established on March 26,
1960, by members of the Kannada-speaking linguistic minority originally from Karnataka. Its primary objective was to manage the Kannada Primary School, which had been founded in 1957. In 1962,
VPM expanded its efforts by establishing a Kannada High School. A decade later, an English Pre- Primary and Primary School was introduced, which evolved in 1976 into the B.R. Tol English High School. The trust's growth continued with the establishment of a Junior College in 1991 and, subsequently, a Degree College of Arts, Science, and Commerce in 2003. Additionally, the Kannada Balwadi was initiated in 1999 as an extension of the Kannada Primary School. To cater to professional education needs, the VPM Institute of Professional Studies (Regd.) was launched in
1997.
In Mulund, the Vidya Prasarak Mandal (VPM) is widely recognized for its significant contributions to education. Established in 1957 by a group of visionary educationists, the organization aimed to meet the educational needs of the growing Kannada-speaking community. What began as a modest school with a handful of students rapidly flourished into one of Mumbai’s leading Kannada schools, boasting an enrolment of over 2,000 students during its peak years. Today, six decades later, VPM proudly
operates eleven educational institutions, offering instruction in both Kannada and English, spanning from kindergarten to postgraduate programs.
To commemorate 60 years of excellence, VPM’s management launched its Diamond Jubilee celebrations for the academic year 2017–18. The celebrations were inaugurated in April 2017, with Mr. Samir Somaiya, President of Somaiya Vidyavihar, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest. As part of this milestone, the committee has decided to publish a special edition titled Visitors’ Views. This publication will compile reflections and experiences shared by visitors to VPM’s institutions, creating a valuable keepsake. All visitors to VPM’s institutions are warmly invited to contribute their views, and former students of both Kannada and English schools are encouraged to participate and celebrate this momentous occasion.
